Chapter Sixty-One: Why Are There So Many People Here!

Xue Fanzhi agreed to all of Old Lady Xue’s instructions one by one.

Satisfied, Old Lady Xue nodded and said, "That’s all there is to our family. You may meet them later."

No sooner had her words fallen than a cough from Nanny Jiang sounded from outside.

Old Lady Xue called out, "Come in!"

Nanny Jiang entered, knelt before the old lady, and said, knowing full well that Xue Fanzhi was now the apple of the old lady’s eye and, being both shrewd and tactful, would not offend her over trivial matters, "Old Lady, the sixth son from the Second House of the Xie family is here to visit as well—he also wishes to see the Old General, but the Old General is not at home..."

With that, the matter was handed over to her.

It was the same with Young Master Sun and Wang Yunzhi.

Old Lady Xue frowned, "Weren’t the young masters from the Sun and Wang families already visiting? Why has a young master from the Xie family come too? What does he want?"

Nanny Jiang shook her head, "Someone has been sent to ask the Old General, but there’s no reply yet. However, those close to the Old General say he isn’t well acquainted with this young master."

Old Lady Xue was silent.

The Sun family and Wang Yunzhi were at least related to the Xue family by blood; besides, the Sun family was seeking refuge, with their patriarch present, and Wang Yunzhi was hiding here—both had their reasons. But what was the purpose of this young master from the Xie family?

Could it be arranged by Dowager Xie?

That seemed unlikely; if the dowager had arranged it, she’d have sent him directly to the Main House, not to the Second.

Old Lady Xue felt puzzled, but it did not stop her from minding her granddaughter’s affairs.

She leaned in and whispered to Xue Fanzhi, "Do you know whose son this Sixth Young Master Xie is? He’s the child of the Second Madam who was swapped out for a concubine’s son. After we returned, you wouldn’t know, but the birth mother of Fourteenth Lady was secretly executed by the Xie family. Fourteenth Lady’s engagement fell through, and the Second Madam hastily arranged for her to marry a nobody—a middle-aged man as a second wife. Of course, the Xie family’s second son sides with his favored concubine, but even this time, he couldn’t save the woman he likes. The Second Madam may be detestable, but at last she has held her head high, and I must admit, I’m somewhat pleased!"

For the old lady was also a proper wife, but unlike the Second Madam Xie, she never had such an opportunity. Until the old master’s death, she had never truly triumphed.

A woman—unless her heart is made of stone—how can she ever truly win?

Xue Fanzhi nodded, "So that’s who he is!"

The old lady said, "I’m telling you this so you understand: the Second Madam Xie has just acknowledged her son. Having had no sons before, he is as precious to her as her own eyes. You know she and our family have a history. So don’t even consider this Sixth Young Master Xie. Even without the past grievances, his mother is too formidable—he is not a good choice for a husband!"

Xue Fanzhi couldn’t help but laugh and cry—did her grandmother think she was getting old and only ever concerned herself with marriage?

She really wasn’t. After breaking off her engagement with Qin Jianyü, she just wanted to spend a few more years at home—now that her grandmother was there to protect her, her situation was entirely different from before. She was in no rush to marry. After all, wasn’t marriage just a way to escape Xue Yang’s oppression? It was never about being desperate to wed!

"Grandmother, what I’d really like to know is why the Sixth Young Master Xie is here!"

Old Lady Xue was momentarily surprised. "You know? How do you know?"

Xue Fanzhi didn’t care that Nanny Jiang was present; in fact, Nanny Jiang was more trusted by the old lady than she was. Even if she didn’t want her to hear, her grandmother would tell her anyway. Rather than avoid her, Xue Fanzhi decided to establish a good rapport with Nanny Jiang, even if what she was about to say was quite serious for their family.

"He’s taken a fancy to Sixth Lady. If I’m not mistaken, he’s here to get close to her!"

Both Old Lady Xue and Nanny Jiang were visibly shocked.

But Old Lady Xue, having seen much in her life, soon recovered and her wrinkles softened with trust. She frowned and said, "That makes sense. Sixth Lady is dignified and graceful; it’s not surprising many admire her. I’m only puzzled—when did he meet her? Was it that day at the Xie family’s?"

It must have been. In her past life, she’d heard Sixth Lady mention, through tears and resentment over Fifth Lady’s complaints, that she had met Sixth Young Master Xie by chance and, who could have foreseen, he would pursue her all the way to their home. In truth, she had no feelings for him at all.

After all, his family background was far too complicated. Though the Fourth Branch was large and disorderly, Sixth Lady’s upbringing was impeccable.

Xue Fanzhi nodded, "Grandmother, you really ought to find a way to send him away. The Wang family may not be suitable, but is the Xie family any better? Even if this young master was raised beside a concubine, he is still of legitimate birth. We simply don’t match. I believe Sixth Sister thinks the same!"

Old Lady Xue smiled and asked, "Oh? And how do you know what your Sixth Sister thinks? What if I send him away and she resents me?"

Impossible. Without him, Sixth Sister would not lose her life.

Xue Fanzhi sighed inwardly but smiled and said, "I trust Sixth Sister—she’s even more obedient than I am!"

Old Lady Xue looked at her with a half-smile, patting her hand. "You’re very good, and so is your Sixth Sister. But precisely because your Sixth Sister is so obedient, I can’t simply send him away. Sixth Sister listens most to your Fourth Great-Aunt, not to me!"

Not to her grandmother!

Xue Fanzhi pressed her lips together, deeply admiring her grandmother’s wisdom and fairness. She respected her Sixth Sister, never belittling her. For many, the moment a man came for a woman, the woman would be accused of impropriety, seduction, be called a temptress or worse. But not the old lady—she said she couldn’t send him away because of the Fourth Branch’s matriarch, not because she feared Sixth Sister would be upset over losing a worthy match.

That was why Xue Fanzhi dared speak openly with her grandmother. Once again, she had not been disappointed—it was a grandmother worthy of respect.

However, from her grandmother’s words, it seemed the visit from Sixth Young Master Xie was unavoidable.

After all, he was a guest—one the family would invite if only they could. How could they drive him away?

There was nothing for it but to take things one step at a time. After all, she wasn’t all-knowing or all-seeing in this life, but perhaps she could help Sixth Sister avoid tragedy. In this family, few of her sisters cared for her; Sixth Sister was one of the few truly considerate ones.

Xue Fanzhi had already made up her mind when the sound of the curtain being lifted interrupted her thoughts. The three of them turned to see a senior maid signaling to Nanny Jiang.

Nanny Jiang looked to the old lady, "Allow me to see what’s happened."

The old lady nodded.

Nanny Jiang moved away, and the maid whispered something to her, making Nanny Jiang’s expression turn strange and incredulous, her brow furrowing in disbelief.

What on earth had happened now? Xue Fanzhi wondered.

After a short while, Nanny Jiang returned, and with a voice full of disbelief, said, "Old Lady, the Ninth Prince has come again!"

Xue Fanzhi: "..."

Old Lady Xue: "..."

"The Ninth Prince has come again? Why does he keep coming? Why are so many people visiting our home today? For whom is he here?"

Xue Fanzhi instinctively shrank back a little.

Facing the old lady’s questioning, Nanny Jiang could not say for sure. At last, she whispered, "Could it be for Young Master Aran? His Highness always seems to be looking for A’Ren."

Xue Fanzhi: "..."